Liu A Mi was recently diagnosed with leukemia. Photo: The Guangzhou Daily

A teacher from an art college in Guangzhou has auctioned off a precious gem to raise funds for a student suffering from leukaemia.

Liang Huiying, a teacher at the South China Agricultural University’s College of Arts, posted the sale on her Weibo microblog on Wednesday.

At 10.30am on Friday morning she announced that the stone had been sold for 4,800 yuan (HK$6,108) to another Weibo user named Jeff.

"Of course, for charity the more the better, but I am happy with the price, it is in line with the market value," said Liang.

In total, she received more than 10 bids.

“Weibo is a great platform for charity. I have already used Weibo for charitable activities in the past,” Liang said on Friday morning.

According to Liang, who has received a diploma from the Gemological Institute of America, the pink stone is a Burmese spinel commonly known as a Balas ruby. It measures four by six millimetres and weighs 1.1 carats.

Her student is in the early stages of diagnosis and it is not yet known how much will be needed for her treatment.